The comedian John Urquhart, from Muir of Ord, entertained audiences throughout the Highlands and Islands for over fifty years, since his debut in 1952. He was better known as 'Johnny Bogan' or simply, 'The Bogan'. He died in November 2006. In this Moray Firth Radio audio extract from 2000 Johnny talks about his life with the Hydro Board.

Interviewer: So after seven years at that ye moved on to a totally different career?

Oh aye, the Hydro Board. It wis good the Hydro Board, Ah liked that as well. It wis pretty hard going at the start because we were in the - all in squads at that time. Ye got on a lorry in the morning an ye headed off wi poles to put them up somewhere an -

Interviewer: That would be the time of the installations mainly, wis it John?

Oh aye, it wis - with the Hydro Board we were all over the whole north of Scotland, the whole north, right up as far as Durness, right across, Kyle, Skye; ye could be anywhere.

For guidance on the use of images and other content, please see the Terms and Conditions page.High Life Highland is a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland No. SC407011 and is a registered Scottish charity No. SC042593

John Urquhart (The Bogan) - Life with the Hydro Board

ROSS: Urray

2000s

comics; comedians; variety; show business; audio

Moray Firth Radio

MFR: Johnny Bogan

The comedian John Urquhart, from Muir of Ord, entertained audiences throughout the Highlands and Islands for over fifty years, since his debut in 1952. He was better known as 'Johnny Bogan' or simply, 'The Bogan'. He died in November 2006. In this Moray Firth Radio audio extract from 2000 Johnny talks about his life with the Hydro Board.<br />
<br />
Interviewer: So after seven years at that ye moved on to a totally different career?<br />
<br />
Oh aye, the Hydro Board. It wis good the Hydro Board, Ah liked that as well. It wis pretty hard going at the start because we were in the - all in squads at that time. Ye got on a lorry in the morning an ye headed off wi poles to put them up somewhere an - <br />
<br />
Interviewer: That would be the time of the installations mainly, wis it John?<br />
<br />
Oh aye, it wis - with the Hydro Board we were all over the whole north of Scotland, the whole north, right up as far as Durness, right across, Kyle, Skye; ye could be anywhere.<br />
<br />
Interviewer: An whit wis yer actual job? Whit did ye start as, just putting in - ?<br />
<br />
Just labouring, aye. An then Ah became a jointer with Anzo. Ah stuck that for about twenty-two years, twenty odd years, aye